PORT RICHMOND -- An Advance reader alerted us on Dec. 26 to the upside-down position of the U.S. flag flying outside Levy Playground, at the corner of Jewett and Castleton avenues in Port Richmond.

“To my knowledge, this is a sign of desecration,” he wrote. “Please see what can be done.”

The city Parks Department provided an explanation.

“The halyard is broken,” said spokeswoman Tara Kiernan. “We have a repair request in and we’re just awaiting the contractor to repair it. Parks operations makes sure the flags are up at our sites and in good condition, or at half staff when appropriate.”